Rocky View County (RVC) council refused a proposed site-specific amendment to allow a waste transfer station within the Janet Regional Business Centre by a vote of 5-4.
The proposed Non-Hazardous Solid Waste Transfer Station to be developed in the Frontier Industrial Park, operated by GFL Environmental, would receive industrial/commercial/institutional waste, municipal solid waste, and construction and demolition waste. According to administration’s report, the waste would be sorted and transported off-site to a landfill, recycling facility or other waste disposal facility.
Toxic, hazardous, liquid waste, medical waste, acids and alkaline waste would not be permitted.
“GFL is committed to providing cost effective, sustainable and environmentally responsible waste management services,” said Regional Manager Warren Graumann. “We believe this site will create opportunities for enhanced waste diversion and provide competitive solid waste management alternatives that lower waste management costs.”
Brown and Associates Planner Ken Venner said when the application was circulated in May, concerns were raised “almost immediately” regarding toxic and hazardous waste, liquid spills, contaminated groundwater and stormwater, environmental risks associated with trucks coming and going to the site, hauling dangerous materials, outside storage creating unsightly conditions, rodents and vermin, traffic compatibility issues and incompatible land use concerns.
“This is not your typical transfer station of yesterday – this is a technologically advanced industrial building with no outdoor sorting and no outdoor storage,” said Graumann. “We continue to ask for further follow-up meetings with opposition, is there anything else we can do? None of those invitations were accepted.”
According to RVC Planner Johnson Kwan, approval of the application would “limit potential uses” on surrounding properties.
A setback requirement restricts the development of any future school, hospital, food establishment or residence within a 300-metre radius of the storage site – and a restaurant is a listed use under the current Direct Control Bylaw.
“Currently, there are 55 parcels within that radius,” Kwan said. “Of those, 29 have an approved Development Permit and 26 remain vacant.”
Nearby landowners who spoke in opposition at the public hearing confirmed the issues listed by Venner in his presentation, primarily citing concerns with increased traffic and potential environmental risks.
Many landowners, including Phil Ness, vice president of operations with Compass Compression, stated they purchased land within the Frontier Park based on the original plans for the area – which would be compromised with the addition of the transfer station.
“There is merit to this kind of business, however, the fact that you have to do a site-specific amendment to put this business in this business park is the problem,” Habberfield said. “You’re trying to put a square peg in a round hole. It might be a wonderful square peg, but it doesn’t fit here.”
Deputy Reeve Earl Solberg, councillor for the area, moved to deny the request as recommended by administration. His motion was carried by a vote of 5-4, with Councillors Bruce Kendall, Eric Lowther, Rolly Ashdown and Liz Breakey in opposition.
“We all produce a whole lot of garbage, and we have a responsibility to deal with it in an environmentally safe and credible fashion. This (application) is offering us that opportunity,” Breakey said. “I almost never vote against administration, but I did this time.”
